It is based on the AR-3 MRL[5] developed by Norinco.[6] The AR-3 was marketed in 2010.[7] The PHL-16 was unveiled during the Chinese National Day Parade in 2019; unlike other rocket systems in the parade, the vehicles were unlabelled.[5]
Design
The launcher vehicles are operated in a firepower battery. The system also capable of autonomous operation. A typical battery includes six launcher vehicles, several reloading vehicles, command post vehicle, meteorological survey vehicle and other service support vehicles.[8]
Unlike the earlier PHL-03, which is loaded with a fixed type of ammunition, the new PHL-16 has two modularized launch cells, which can carry different types of ammunition. Each launch cell can carry either five 300 mm rockets or four 370 mm rockets.[6][3] The export version of the new multiple rocket launcher, the AR-3, can even switch to the 750 mm Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missile and 380 mm TL-7B anti-ship missile.[9][10] This capability is possibly transferred to the PLA variants.
The configuration displayed during the 2019 National Day Parade was with 8 370 mm rockets.[5]
Chassis
The vehicle chassis is based on the 45 ton WS2400 8×8 special wheeled vehicle chassis.[11]
Operational history
In February 2023, PHL-16 was observed in deployment by 73rd Group Army of the Eastern Theatre Command, which responsible for the Taiwan Strait area.[12]
